The World Health Organization (WHO) reported that nearly 10,000 people died from the coronavirus in December, as the pandemic worsened due to holiday gatherings. The health body also said that hospital and intensive care unit (ICU) admissions increased by 42% and 62%, respectively, from the previous month.
The data, however, only reflects the situation in less than 50 countries, mostly in Europe and the Americas, that reported to the WHO. WHO Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said that this is not the full picture of the global crisis.
“We are certain that there are also increases in other countries that are not being reported,” he said at a press briefing on Thursday. He urged countries to share accurate and timely information with the WHO and the public, as well as to implement effective measures to contain the virus.
The WHO also said that Russia appears to be reporting the most cases to the health body, but many other countries have reduced or stopped reporting, which is “part of the problem”. The health body warned that the lack of data hampers the global response to the pandemic and the distribution of vaccines.
The WHO advised people to avoid large gatherings and to follow the public health guidelines of wearing masks, washing hands, and maintaining physical distance. The health body also said that vaccines alone will not end the pandemic, and that people need to continue to protect themselves and others from the virus.